Covi, if the film trick doesn't work, you can save yourself some money by dropping the front wheel assembly, and slide the fork tubes out of the triple clamps and merely take the fork legs in to have the seals replaced. Pretty simple! although I have replaced many a fork seals, the older I get, the more I value my own time (and knuckles)...

Man, I am just now seeing this thread. Unfortunately, I got out of the motorcycle game when I bought the boat. It has turned out to be a good decision, seeing as I have two small children now and everyone can ride in the boat, but I do miss the bike on a nice sunny day outside.

I started off on a Suziki DR 200 trail bike and ran it into the ground until the valve head busted through the top of the piston. Then I upgraded to a 2001 Honda Magna, which was an awesome bike for the size. I rode that through college and a few years after and one day, I came across a 2001 Yamaha FZ-1 with low miles and garage kept. I bought it and had it for about three years before I sold it and got my first boat. I never really got a chance to take the FZ-1 to ride where I wanted to go, on Deal's Gap, but I had a great time with it while it lasted. Perhaps one day I will get another.

With me getting the DR 200, this gave my dad the bug once again and he bought a Honda 750, rode it for a season or so and sold it and bought a Kawasaki Nomad 1500. The Nomad was a great riding low and slow bike. A random guy offered him more than he paid for it, so he sold it and bought a 2001 Honda Valkyrie Interstate. The Valk, IMO, was one of the best riding bikes and boy did that thing have some beans! The sound of that 6cyl engine is like no other. When you add the fairing, hard bags, trunk and a radio, it really is hard to beat. He, like I, sold the bike to buy a boat.

I still really love the Valk, FZ-1 and I think my favorite is probably the Yamaha FJR1300. The FJR is fast, handles well and is comfortable on long hauls. Those are the basic requirements for my next bike.

Just got back into to the saddle after years of not being on a bike. Purchased a new 2012 Yamaha VStar 950 to see if I would enjoy it. So far it is great and while I love the bike, already thinking about an upgrade next year to a Yamaha Styker or Triumph Thunderbird Storm.

Just got back into to the saddle after years of not being on a bike. Purchased a new 2012 Yamaha VStar 950 to see if I would enjoy it. So far it is great and while I love the bike, already thinking about an upgrade next year to a Yamaha Styker or Triumph Thunderbird Storm.